Microsoft's big Xbox strategy event was exactly what Paul expected it was going to be. Hopefully, this calmed some nerves.
Xbox strategy reveal
It was going to be about Activision Blizzard originally (nailed it)
All first-party games will be in Game Pass on day one (as is the case now)
Game Pass will only be on Xbox (whatever "Xbox" means as it's on PC too)
The strategy is unchanged: Meet gamers where they are
But the best experience is on Xbox (this is like going from "Windows only" to "Windows first" to "Windows best")
Portability across hardware platforms is a key part of the strategy - Backward Compatibility, etc.
A future generation of Xbox console hardware will offer "the largest technical leap you have ever seen in a hardware generation."
Oh, and four games are coming to "other consoles."
Windows 11
Microsoft is quietly adding off-ramps to the Insider Program after killing the Magic window with their screwed-up release schedule
Canary and Dev - 24H2, same builds. New navigation pane in Widgets - new accessibility setting for low-vision users - that same tired weather experience on the lock screen that is already in stable and seriously kill me now I can't stand this company anymore. Oh, and there are ISOs.
Beta - New prompts for that "manage mobile devices" features, updates to Snipping Tool and Notepad (also in RP)
Release Preview - We're testing Moment 5 now, so this is a huge update
Microsoft fixed a bug that let Edge siphon browser data from other browsers
Stardock brings pre-release support for Arm versions of Start11, Fences, and Groupy to new Object Desktop Insider program
Google has an answer for those out of support Windows 10 PCs
Build 2024
Microsoft confirms that Build 2024 is May 21-23 in Seattle. No word on press invites
Microsoft 365
Microsoft will finally unify the Teams clients on Windows and Mac
Microsoft is killing Publisher in 2 years and even though no one uses it, people are freaking out
AI
Microsoft to use Intel Foundry for at least one in-house custom AI chip
Now OpenAI is worth over $80 billion, is world's third-biggest unicorn
OpenAI announces Sora and... HOLY #$%^
Gemini (formerly Duet AI) comes to all Workspace customers
Google brings Gemini down to size with Gemma for free, local use
Adobe Acrobat is getting an AI assistant
Xbox
Game streaming is (probably) coming to all the Xbox games you own
More (non-AB) games are coming to Game Pass in February
Microsoft goes after Apple's non-compliance DMA compliance in the EU
Epic announces a game store for iOS in Europe, will launch this year
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story will release on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch on March 13
Tips and Picks
Tip of the week: Androids by Chet Haase
App picks of the week: Dashlane, Firefox 123, Bonjourr
Cocktail of the week: Sumi - This is a "clasicos Baltra" from the most famous bar in Mexico City. Tanqueray Ten Gin, Violet liqueur, Jasmine syrup, Yuzu, Egg white. Serve in a coupe glass, and garnish with dried flowers.
Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott
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